U.S. patent number 4,433,429 [Application Number 06/238,942] was granted by the patent office on 1984-02-21 for diagnostic x-ray installation for radiography and fluoroscopy.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Siemens Aktiengesellschaft. Invention is credited to Johann Finkenzeller, Juergen Reinhardt.
United States Patent |
4,433,429 |
Finkenzeller , et
al. |
February 21, 1984 |
Diagnostic X-ray installation for radiography and fluoroscopy
Abstract
In an exemplary embodiment, an X-ray image intensifier
television chain includes an X-ray image intensifier, a television
camera, and a monitor, and a control unit has an adjustment panel
for selecting radiography and fluoroscopy parameters. The control
unit is connected with a signal generator whose output is connected
to a mixing stage, arranged between the television camera and the
monitor, so that a signal which is dependent upon the selected
parameters is generated by the signal generator and is superimposed
on the video signal delivered by the television camera for the
purpose of fading-in a representation of the selected parameters in
the television picture of the monitor.
Inventors: |
Finkenzeller; Johann (Erlangen,
DE), Reinhardt; Juergen (Aurachtal, DE) |
Assignee: |
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
(Berlin and Munich, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
6097567 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/238,942 |
Filed: |
February 27, 1981 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 18, 1980 [DE] |
|
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3010378 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
378/98.5;
348/E5.086; 378/165 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
5/32 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
5/32 (20060101); H05G 001/28 () |
Field of
Search: |
;378/99,98,165 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
"Klinograph 2 with Explorator 35 E", DATA, Siemens
Aktiengesellschaft, Order No. MR 12/7167.101, pp. 1-5..
|
Primary Examiner: Church; Craig E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hill, Van Santen, Steadman &
Simpson
Claims
We claim as our invention:
1. A diagnostic X-ray installation for radiography and fluoroscopy,
said installation comprising an X-ray tube for supplying X-ray
energy along an X-ray beam path; an X-ray spotfilm device for
positioning an X-ray film in the X-ray beam path during radiography
so as to effect exposure of successive subdivisions of the film in
accordance with a selected film exposure format; an x-ray image
intensifier television chain including an X-ray image intensifier
arranged in the X-ray beam path for receiving an X-ray image during
fluoroscopy and for supplying a corresponding optical image, a
television camera optically coupled with said X-ray image
intensifier for supplying a video signal in accordance with the
optical image supplied by said X-ray image intensifier during
fluroscopy, and a monitor coupled with the television camera for
effecting display of the video signal therefrom as a television
picture; a control unit connected with said spotfilm device for
controlling the exposure of the X-ray film in the X-ray beam path
in accordance with a selected film exposure format and having film
format setting means for selecting film format setting values
characterizing the desired film exposure format of the X-ray
exposures to be made on the X-ray film of the spotfilm device
during radiography; a signal generator for generating signals
operable to control the monitor and having an output, the film
format setting means being connected with the signal generator, a
mixing stage arranged between the television camera and the
monitor, said mixing stage receiving a signal generator output
signal from the output of the signal generator which is dependent
upon the selected film format setting values at said film format
setting means and being operable to superimpose said signal
generator output signal on the video signal delivered by the
television camera for the purpose of fading-in a representation of
the selected film format setting values into the television picture
of the monitor, said signal generator supplying as said signal
generator output signal a picture generating signal for producing a
symbolic pictorial display representing graphically the selected
film exposure format and the progress of the X-ray exposures during
radiography so that said symbolic pictorial display is faded into
the television picture on said monitor, for graphically
representing operating status during radiography.
2. A diagnostic X-ray installation according to claim 1 with said
signal generator further supplying to said mixing stage a signal
for effecting a digital fading-in on the monitor of numerals
representing the overall size of the X-ray film of the spotfilm
device during radiography.
3. A diagnostic X-ray installation according to claim 1 with said
signal generator producing on the monitor a symbolic pictorial
display indicating the position of the X-ray film.
4. A diagnostic X-ray installation according to claim 1 with said
signal generator producing on said monitor a symbolic pictorial
display having an arrangement of subdivisions for representing the
subdivisions of the X-ray film of the spotfilm device during
radiography.
5. A diagnostic X-ray installation according to claim 4 with said
signal generator supplying at its output picture generating signals
for filling in the subdivisions on the monitor so as to produce a
symbolic pictorial display for graphically representing the number
of exposed subdivisions of the X-ray film.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray installation for
radiography and fluoroscopy which exhibits an X-ray image
intensifier television chain comprising an X-ray image intensifier,
a television camera, and a monitor, and a control unit having
adjustment means for selecting radiography and fluoroscopy
operating values.
X-ray diagnostic installations are known (Siemens data: Klinograph
2 with Explorator 35E, Order No. MR 12/7167.101), in which the
values determining the radiography and fluoroscopy operations are
adjusted on the apparatus and brought to display. Thus, for
example, the tube voltage and current values are preselected by
means of switches. The instantaneous values can be displayed in
digital or also analog fashion by means of display instruments. For
a radiograph, the required film cassettes are inserted in the X-ray
spotfilm device and automatically driven into the readiness
position. A display of the inserted film format does not
customarily take place. In order that several radiographs can be
made in succession, the film format can be subdivided. The
subdivision can be selected by adjustment means, whereby the
selected subdivision is characterized by the position (or setting)
of the adjustment means on the spotfilm device or in the remote
control console. A digital display indicates the program sequence
and specifies the number of the remaining unexposed radiographs.
Due to the varying display types, the adjusted values can be
recognized only with difficulty. Moreover, during adjustment and
alignment of the X-ray spotfilm device, the television monitor is
customarily observed, so that the displays lie outside the line of
sight and possibly even outside the field of view.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention proceeds from the object of producing a diagnostic
X-ray installation of the type initially cited which exhibits a
clear and advantageously positioned display of the radiograph and
fluoroscopy values, wherein several related values can be
determined together.
The object is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the
adjustment means are connected to a signal generator whose output
is connected to a mixing stage arranged between the T.V. camera and
the monitor, in which mixing stage a signal-dependent upon the
adjusted values and generated by the signal generator is
superimposed on the video signal delivered by the T.V. camera for
the purpose of fading in the adjusted values into the television
picture of the monitor. As a consequence, values can be faded into
the free, darkened areas of the viewing screen, which values are so
clearly displayed that they can be determined by the observer at a
glance.
An advantageous embodiment of the signal generator is one wherein
the signal generator exhibits a manually controllable position
determining unit which is subjected to the synchronous pulses of
the television camera and generates output signals determining the
position of the fading-in; that a memory is present in which data
corresponding to the values to be displayed are stored, and to
which the signals of the position determining unit are supplied in
the form of addresses, and likewise the signals determining the
fading-in, are supplied by the control unit, and that the output of
the memory is connected with a converter which effects the
adaptation of the output signal of the memory to the video signal
and whose output is connected to the mixing stage.
In the case of a diagnostic X-ray installation comprising an X-ray
spotfilm device for the preparation of radiographs, wherein the
film format is adjustable by adjustment means, the fading-in can
proceed in that a signal corresponding to the selected film
exposure program is supplied to the mixing stage. A display of the
film format is achieved when the signal supplied to the mixing
stage effects a digital fading-in representing the size of the
film. It has proven advantageous if the position of the film is
displayed by means of a pictorial fading-in. The clarity can be
even further increased if the subdivision of the film is
represented by means of a symbolic fading-in. The program sequence
is advantageously displayed when the faded-in image displays the
number of exposed radiographs.
The invention shall be explained in greater detail in the following
on the basis of an exemplary embodiment illustrated on the
accompanying drawing sheets; and other objects, features and
advantages will be apparent from this detailed disclosure and from
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a block circuit diagram of an inventive X-ray
diagnostic installation;
FIG. 2 illustrates a block circuit diagram of the signal generator
of the diagnostic X-ray installation according to FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate two fadings-in of the film format in the
case of the diagnostic X-ray installation according to FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In FIG. 1, an X-ray tube 1 is illustrated which is fed by an X-ray
generator 2. In front of the radiation exit aperture of the X-ray
tube 1, a motor-adjustable collimator (or primary radiation
diaphragm) 3 is seated. In the path of rays of the X-ray tube 1, a
patient 4 is disposed. Behind the latter an X-ray spotfilm device 5
is arranged. In the path of rays thereafter, an X-ray image
intensifier 6 follows which is connected with a television camera 7
to form a unit. Connected to the television camera 7 is a mixing
stage 8 whose output signal is supplied to a monitor 9.
A signal generator 10 is likewise connected with the mixing stage
8, for supplying an output signal which is superimposed in the
mixing stage 8 with the video signal delivered by the television
camera 7. The control of the signal generator 10 is effected by a
control unit 11 connected with the signal generator. In addition,
the control unit 11 controls the motor-driven cassette entry of the
X-ray spotfilm device 5. Via transmitters arranged on the X-ray
spot film device 5, the size and position of the inserted cassette
is communicated to the control unit 11 which, with these values,
controls the opening of the collimator 3. This data is likewise
supplied to the signal generator 10 which, as shall be described
below, generates therewith a signal effecting the fading-in. Via
adjustment means or film format setting means 12, which are
connected with the control unit 11, the inserted cassette can be
subdivided as desired. The control unit 11 controls, corresponding
to the position (or setting) of the adjustment means 12, the
collimator 3, the X-ray spot film device 5, and the signal
generator 10.
In FIG. 2, the signal generator 10 is illustrated which exhibits a
position determining unit 20. An input stage 21 of the position
determining unit 20 is subjected to the horizontal and vertical
pulses delivered by lines H and V from the television camera 7.
This input stage 21 can exhibit counters and/or also monostable
flip flops which determine the commencement of the fading-in by
their chronological delay. This delay is variable through
adjustment means 22, so that the position of the fading-in is
adjustable in the vertical and horizontal directions on display 9.
If the delay times of the input stage 21 have expired, a clock
pulse generator 23 is started, and a horizontal counter
24--connected with the clock pulse generator 23--of the position
determining unit 20 is released for counting of the clock pulses
from the clock pulse generator 23. Simultaneously a vertical
counter 25, likewise pertaining to the position determining unit
20, is released for counting the horizontal pulses supplied via
line H from the television camera 7. The outputs of the counters 24
and 25 are connected with a memory 26; for example, a programmable
read only memory or PROM, in which data are stored corresponding to
the values to be displayed (the numbers and indicia). Additional
digital data is supplied to the memory 26 by the control unit 11 in
the form additional addresses which characterize the format and the
cassette representation (or display). These addresses select a
memory location in which the data for one character and one line,
respectively, is stored. The contents of the memory 26 are supplied
to a converter 27 which--driven by clock pulses from the clock
pulse generator 23--converts the parallel data flow into a serial
data flow. Subsequently, the level of the output signal is adapted
(or matched) to that of the video signal so that the signals in the
mixing stage 8 can be superimposed in the simplest fashion.
Through this arrangement, a simple fading-in of data; e.g. of data
determining the format, into the television picture, is achieved.
Through the layout of the memory and expansion of the capacity,
more data can additionally be faded-in. Thus the simultaneous
fading-in e.g. of the apparatus data (angular position of the X-ray
tube), the fluoroscopy data (tube voltage, tube current, dose rate,
and fluoroscopy time), the time data (date and clock time), the
number of the radiographic exposure and the patient data (patient
number) appears expedient. In so doing it is advisable to fade-in
the data at various locations for a better overview.
Expediently the fadings-in proceed in the darkened areas of the
television field. There they do not interfere with the X-ray
television transmission and can be recognized without a change in
the direction of view of the observer. These faded-in data can also
be co-stored, so that all significant exposure values are thereby
preserved without additional measures and characterize (or
identify) the radiograph for the purpose of improved filing.
In addition to a digital display, a pictorial representation of the
film format, illustrated in the FIGS. 3a and 3b, can also be
provided. In this example, the indicia are formed by 32 lines with
32 image points each. The upper seven lines are reserved for the
numerals (or digits) characterizing the size of the film format.
The remaining 25 lines are employed for the pictorial
representation (or display) of the position and of the subdivision
of the cassette as well as of the exposed radiographs.
In FIG. 3a the cassette size amounts to 24 cm.times.30 cm and is
characterized by the corresponding numerals. The height of the
numerals amounts to seven image points, whereas the width amounts
to five image points. A spacing of one image point was left between
the characters. In the pictorial representation of the cassette
format arranged therebelow, the longer side of the rectangular
image lies in the horizontal direction. It is thereby rendered
clear that the cassette was inserted horizontally. The cassette is
subdivided in a six-fold fashion, whereby--characterized by the
black fields--five radiographs are shown as already exposed in FIG.
3a. For the cassette size, 15.times.19 image points are employed.
The representation (or display) of the exposed radiograph requires
3.times.4 image points. However, also other formats of
representation (display) can be selected, which, for example,
approximately correspond in their number of image points to the
dimensions in centimeters. However, in order that the capacity of
the memory does not become too great, it is expedient to employ a
representation of not over 32 image points for the largest film
format.
In FIG. 3b, a horizontally inserted cassette of the size 18
cm.times.24 cm is illustrated. The format is subdivided nine times.
Four radiographs have already been exposed, so that five
radiographs are still available.
In the FIGS. 3a and 3b, the characters are imaged in black on a
white ground. By contrast, in the case of television fading-in, it
is expedient to image them in white on the black background, the
darkened corners. For the representation (or display) of these
data, also every other type of numerals and characters is
conceivable without departing from the concept of the invention. A
display indicating whether the fluoroscopy is switched on could
also proceed in that, during the fluoroscopy, the viewing screen
appears bright, whereas, in the case of a switched-off fluoroscopy,
the viewing screen remains darkened.
It will be apparent that many modifications and variations may be
effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts and
teachings of the present invention.
* * * * *